Derry Herrera
Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.
kbrady-10968
Just stumbled upon the 1954 quasi-documentary Lady and the Bull (no not Lady and the Bullfighter from the same year). I wish I could ask director Jamie Uys if he saw this short before he made Gods because it seems like the prototypical reference of the gently narrated, crudely shot, blatantly overdubbed, stranger-in-a-strange-yet-charming-land saga that he is affectionately spoofing.On the other hand I know that S.Africa tried to keep out cultural influences from the outside world in those days so maybe he couldn't possibly have seen a Hollywood movie....
SnoopyStyle
A tribe of bushmen in the Kalahari desert live in isolation from the modern world. The hardest tools they use is bone or wood. They don't even have rock. One day a flying plane dropped an empty Coke bottle on the community. At first it is a God send, but then infighting and possessiveness in this communal living. The leader Xi (N!xau) tries to throw it back up to God, only to have it come back down. So he decides to walk to the edge of the world to cast off the evil object.I rewatch it recently after first watched it 2 decades ago. I'm surprised at how awkward, how unfunny, how unlikeable the movie is especially when Xi isn't on screen. The rebels and government forces are like keystone cops. The fact that they're almost all black just makes it so uncomfortable. Are we laughing at incompetent black people? I remember the guy opening and closing the gate being much funnier. Their comedy seems like weak slapsticks now.The best part of the movie is absolutely N!xau. When I first saw it, I found the whole Bushmen eye opening and so realistic. Today I realize that it was impossible for these people to be so isolated at that time. The whole idea that they don't even have rocks is just ridiculous. But N!xau is still the most compelling actor in this movie. The movie is 2 points better whenever he's on the screen.
ammar-rehmani
The movie showcases the innocence of a Bushman in a selfish (modern world) add slapstick to it, both elements of comedy are done in a innocent way. One of the best foreign comedy movie I have seen. The stories have a beautiful connection among them. I particularly enjoyed the part of Bushman tribe and kept thinking how the director managed to shoot them while maintaining their natural essence. The second element I loved was the slapstick comedy, I cannot remember last time I saw slapstick done in such a funny way. There were parts when I burst into laughter.The dialogues really added a flavor to the movie, even though they were dubbed, except a few. And finally the characters. The Bushman might take the limelight but for me the scientist was the funniest of them all. Enjoy this apparently simply but extremely well thought out comedy.
thesar-2
Okay, The Gods Must Be Crazy (TGMBC) isn't just about (a) Coke (bottle.) But, it certainly pushed things into place.The very first time, and only other time, I've seen this before last night, was in first run theatres, which had to be in 1984 when I was 10. My father took me to see this, and even though a lot of it went over my head, what stuck with me was his deep laughter throughout the entire feature. And it was contagious; I was laughing hard, because he was. I was having a great time, like he was.Fast forward, nearly 30-years later, to my follow-up viewing. Wow. This was hard to get through. Now, that said, it is funny, and purely innocent – it's almost 100% slapstick comedy and basically G, if not for the native nudity. Also, despite the incredibly low budget, it was inventive and obscenely original.I say it was a chore to watch again – and I probably will never see this another time, due to the pacing and age. The movie was made on/around 1980 and definitely did it broadcast that year. TGMBC took so long to get through and was not a short movie as it probably could've been.Well, TGMBC did insert many story lines that VERY nicely came together. Even with small resources, the many stories and characters did intrigue me. It was so 1930s screwball comedy, but with a non-typical setting (Africa) and unknown actors.TGMBC tells the tale(s) of a 100% isolated African Bushman who must rid his tribe of a Coke® bottle that the Bushmen wrongfully thought was a gift from their gods when it was merely thrown out of a passing plane. He takes it upon himself to take the eventually labeled: "evil" object to the edge of the Earth and drop it off. Which, I guess, means they still believe the Earth's flat?Meanwhile, renegades invade the land and a poop-specialist, a school teacher and the government gets involved to take down said rebels. I literally summed up an almost two-hour comedy, but it's more fun to watch how all these stories intersect and pan out.Only…the core of the screenplay, that faithful, "bad" Coke® bottle's own story kinda gets the rush treatment in the end. Perhaps, because they ran out of what little funds they had…?Obviously, it's not to be taken seriously – it is slapstick comedy all-around, after all. But, it is interesting enough with the Out-of-America setting and multiple story lines that were very well crafted. In addition, the narrator, which I loved by the way, tells many interesting stories and thoroughly educates me on the land, culture and animals I am unfamiliar with.And finally, the lead Bushman, Xi, or Xixo depending on who you trust, was awesome in this. A perfect performance, and stand by that.I would recommend The Gods Must Be Crazy with the recommendation that you know what you're getting yourself into.
